Nerves of steel, a high tolerance for uncertainty and adversity, and enduring stamina are required for this overnight assault of Afadjato, Ghana’s highest free-standing mountain at 885m. A Togolese highlands invasion continues from the top of Afadjato across the invisible boundary into the western Plateau region of the Togolese Republic. By the time we arrive at Wli Todzi on the Ghanaian side of the highlands, we would have completed a tough 7-hour or more journey across the highest mountains in Ghana’s highland border with Togo.

Another 4 hours will mark the descent from Wli Todzi to the upper and lower trails of the Wli waterfalls area. A rain-gouged chimney is the butt-dragging trail down the steep range into the refreshing waters of the lower Wli falls. Splashing around in the falls and touching the wall behind the curtain is the phenomenon that makes the gruelling adventure worth it.

Here’s the scenario: You and your team will have a map and a compass, and will be directed to navigate your way through the rocky ravine of the Krobo Hills known to the locals as Klowem (pronounced klo-yom) to the highest outcrop on the plateau.

There will be two main difficulties: (1) Your team has to translate information correctly from the map to the ground and navigate with a compass, and (2) You will have to work as an efficient team and get to Hieowayo (the outcrop in question) together. Any team that gets to the top as an inefficient team will lose vital points.

Once teams arrive at Station Hieowayo, each team will have to strap into helmets, harnesses and safety gear, stand at the edge of the granite rock, lean back and abseil (rappel) the precipitous Hieowayo on ropes as thick as a man’s middle finger within the time allotted. Teams that do not get all their members to abseil in the time allotted will lose vital points as well.

The winning team will be the team that navigates correctly and works efficiently, while keeping themselves motivated to abseil within time.

The Avatime Highlands have been touted as the highests points of human habitation in Ghana. We invite you to get your game face on, your adrenaline levels in top form, and your sense of adventure off the charts for this amazing expedition eco-destination.

The overnight adventure starts with a 4-hour drive to the Hohoe Plains, a village at the foot of the ranges named Nyangbo Kume. We move up a 650m mountain terrain to the Village of Dzogbefeme. The hike ascends from a 50m plain to that elevation in less than two or three hours, and for thrice the trouble because we’ll have our food, water, tents and other adventure gear strapped onto our backs. We’ll spend the night on Expedition Plateau, a spot that offers a spectacular view of the Amedzofe and Gemi mountains.

After breakfast the next day, the second leg of the assault begins to Mt Gemi’s cross at Amedzofe, to a point that is 800m above seal level. Then we drive off the highlands through Ho, the Volta regional capital.